USDA Shake-Up, Trump Budget Could Be the Demise of the Office of Rural Development

A shake-up at the U.S. Department of Agriculture will likely impact the delivery of support and programs from the federal government to rural communities.

2 minute read

June 5, 2017, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Conservation Distict

Gigra / Rural

Dan Nosowitz shares news of changes at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) likely to impact federal support for rural communities. 

Nosowitz reports that USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue recently abolished the position of Under Secretary of Rural Development—a position that oversees the Office of Rural Development and its $216 billion budget.

In the place of the Under Secretary of Rural Development, the "heads of four departments within the Rural Development agency—the Rural Utilities Service, the Rural Business Service, the Rural Housing Service, and the Chief Risk Office—will report directly to [the USDA Secretary]," according to Nosowitz.

The USDA called this reorganization an elevation of rural development, but the advocacy group Campaign for Renewed Rural Development has written a letter to members of Congress [pdf] stating their strong opposition to the reorganization. Here's a summary of the main arguments od that letter's opposition to the reorganization:

  • "In its current position as a core USDA Mission Area overseen by an Under Secretary, RD is part of the USDA subcabinet; the reassignment would remove it from the subcabinet and rescind the decision-making power that comes with being a core USDA Mission Area."
  • "Under Secretaries are confirmed by the U.S. Senate and held directly accountable to Congress for their office, scope and mission – special assistants are not."
  • "Demoting RD and removing Congressional accountability will have a direct impact on our nation’s ability to care for the underserved and compete in a global market."

The letter also raises alarms about possible policy and budget developments that could further impact rural communities: "President Trump’s 'skinny budget' proposal to Congress included the elimination of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, the entire portfolio of Rural Business Cooperative Service programs and the Rural Water Wastewater Program."

Wednesday, May 24, 2017 in Modern Farmer

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

15 minutes ago - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

1 hour ago - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

2 hours ago - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.